Maryland State House
The Second Dome

1784-1787

According to the Intendent of Revenue, Daniel St. Thomas Jenifer, the first dome of the State House was a contradiction of architectural design. A survey of the timbers in 1784 revealed that they were so decayed by water damage that a new dome would be required. The General Assembly authorized Jenifer to employ the workmen necessary to make repairs to the house and garden of the governor's house and the dome and roof of the State House. Joseph Clark, a local merchant and architect of the City, submitted his designs to Jenifer.

On February 24, 1785 Jenifer placed a notice in the Maryland Gazette for carpenters work to be made to the dome and roof under the execution of Joseph Clark 2. In April and May of that year, Clark advertized for thirty journeyman carpenters. They were guarenteed one year of labor. A letter from Joshua Botts, one of the hired carpenters, describes Clark's plans for the governor's and State Houses:

Clark raised the pitch of the dome to facilitate the runoff of excess water, the chief reason the timbers rotted in the original dome.

It has been speculated that the actual design of the dome is based upon the Schlossturm, a tower to the north side of the palace of Karl-Wilhelm Markgraf in Karlsruhe, Germany. Winifred and Douglas Gordon argue that in view of the many similarities of details and general form it is hard to believe that there is not a connection between the two buildings.

The term "State House" is derived from the German "stadthaus," meaning city hall. Interestingly enough, the State House at Annapolis was referred to as the "Stadt House" by the Maryland General Assembly 5.

An article in the February 1789 edition of the Columbian Magazine also comments on the building of the State House. At this time the exterior of the dome is pictured, lending strength to the estimated completion of the second dome in 1788. The author of the article appears to admire the exterior design of the dome and the "skill of the ingenious architect," but is disturbed by the actual size of the dome.

With the classical interpretation of sheltering rotundas as symbols of unity, permanence, and strength, it is rather appropriate that Clark made the second dome the most noticeable feature of the State House. On September 14, 1786 the Annapolis Convention had issued its call for the gathering in Philadelphia to write the American Constitution. In the midst of heated political debate concerning the propriety of a strong national central government, Joseph Clark placed in the very center of the City a secure structure of stalwart constitution that has distinguished the Annapolis skyline for over two hundred years.

In addition to raising the slope of the roof and increasing the size of the dome, Joseph Clark chose to cover the exterior of the cupola with Cypress shingles. As a merchant of the City, Clark purchased the majority of materials from an impressive list of Annapolis's prominent businessmen: Joseph Dashiell, John Shaw, Charles Wallace, Thomas Harwood, Simon Retallick, Allen Qwynn, and John Callahan 7. Unfortunately, the project soon encountered many obstacles. It was difficult to acquire the necessary plank, scaffolding, and large timber required to build a dome of great size. Colonel Dashiell, who had the contract for furnishing the timbers, found it impossible to get the lumber out of the swamp in the unseasonable weather 8. Accidents became frequent. A fire occurred in the cellar of the State House.

Furthermore, one of the workmen was seriously injured. While climbing the scaffolding with a load of shingles, Thomas Canfield slipped eighty feet to the ground below 10.

Although the physical troubles of erecting the building must have been tasking for Clark, financial problems were a true test to the completion of the dome. The General Assembly became impatient with the lack of progress on the interior of the dome and the amount of money already spent on the project. Clark was not paid in full for services rendered, although he did receive approximately 2000 pounds from the Treasury of the fees ordered by the Auditor. Clark petitioned the General Assembly for several years after 1788 for the amount listed in his account, but was not successful 11. In 1787, Governor Smallwood ordered the treasurer to pay Clark 1500 pounds so that work on the public buildings could be completed. No money was available from the treasury and the Council requested that money earmarked for public funds be used. They argued that the state house would be significantly injured if it remained in its present condition throughout winter. The General Assembly responded. Funds were given only to fix the rooms in the second story of the State-House formally occupied by the governor, council, and auditor general; and it was recommended that they make use of the said rooms as soon as they were completed 12. With their own vital interests secure, the politicians were satisfied with this agreement and Joseph Clark's position as the formal undertaker of the building ended 13.

Introduction

The First Dome, 1769-1774

The Second Dome, 1787-1792

The Second Dome's Completion, 1792-1797

The Franklin Rod

Conclusion


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